Arrieti-A Love Between Two Different Worlds

Wondrous

A Studio Ghibli production of Japan, the animated movie, The Secret World of Arrieti, is a Japanese rendition of the story of The Borrowers, small people that live off human beings by borrowing items they would not missed from a cube of sugar to some drawing pins.

A Different World

In this story a very sick boy perchanced to see Arrieti, the daughter of the little people that lived in a house in which he is taking a rest before a major heart operation.

The Fat Cat

As usual expect the rustic play of water coloured scenes of rural Japan with its stand alone houses, crafty crows, a curious cats and a gurgling brook.

Not much of a story line but certainly well-paced to deliver the magic of the love between a lonely boy and a little girl from another world. A love that can never be.

Soothing movie while it last.

BN:Bottled Up Issues Looking for An Implosive and Explosive Outlet

D-Day is Approaching

As the general  election day dawns in 2013, possibly on 23rd or 30th March 2013, more issues will be coming out of the woodwork. None of the issues can really find traction in its solutions  in the short term of less than 100 days as they appear structural and fraught with inter-racial sensitivities that will appeal to every side.

Let us list the 'time-bombs' for Malaysia and how it will impact upon voting pattern particularly the younger set of voters, voting for the first time. These are more adventurous in spirit and if urbane, will likely vote against the establishment. For those in the rural areas, they may still vote the BN back into power.

1. Lynas-the biggest of BN's headache as this issue has overstayed its welcome as civil servants and politicians fumbled in trying to repair the PR damages of the conditions of the TOL and the need for export of the processed waste of the rare earth. Damage to Pahang is imminent as the Raub gold mining issue add more to the favour of opposition politics. Negative to Pahang BN and UMNO.

2. The Deepak Revelation: Most untimely as it will expose all the potential 'worms in the can' right up to the Scorpene case in Paris. Negative to BN.

3. The RM 40 million donation to Sabah UMNO-Though gagged by ICAC of Hong-Kong, this will not stop the rumour-monger mill. Ukin can do much damage here and may sway the voting winds among Sabahans. Not good for BN Sabah

4. The Selangor 'land-grab' and the Penang land issues not only in price but in use can be an irritating and barbed problem in both these states. Contentious and not much time for BN to explain itself convincingly to the people why BN political parties took these lands for a song.

5. The so-called interference of politicians  in the police force from the expose of ex-IGP and other senior cops. Not good for BN.

6. Hindraf and the stateless Indian issue and its impact in marginal areas where Indians will become king-makers. Bad vibes for BN and MIC

7. The Dolomite Condominium affecting Batu Caves. This is a downside for MIC

8. Hudud law implementation and the Malaysian Constitution-Bad for PKR and continue to be a gnawing issue between DAP and PAS. Keadilan do not seems to be able to bridge the differences.

9. The PKRZ corruption case that can so no meaningful end and will negatively impact BN.

10. The decline of Maths and Science which will need plenty of realistic explanation from the government.

11. The Genneva Gold trading issue and its fall-out.

12. The use of the word, " All..." that remains unresolved. Not great for BN.

Will add more as they come to mind.

Paranormal Norman-Awful Animated Outing

Disaster Animation Feature

As the latest animated flick to hit the screens, it sure is tame and unfortunately lacks the entertainment factor.

Most of the events are predictable and the dialogue is as corny as it can get.

A yarn built around a young gifted girl who was killed as the village elders feared her unknown powers is an unlikely plot-line that can sustain.

The action of a town in frenzy fear of zombies is more laughable than enjoyable.

As far as animated features are concerned, this one surely touches a new low.

I believe it neither entertains nor put fear into children.

For adults, just give it a miss!